Governor Vetoes Health Care Pooling
by Christine Stuart | June 13, 2008 3:40 PM
Posted to Health Care
| State Capitol
It’s no surprise to many proponents of the health care pooling bill that Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell vetoed it Friday afternoon.
Proponents say the bill would have allowed small business, municipalities, and nonprofits join the state employees health insurance pool and receive the same benefits at a lower cost than they are currently paying for health insurance because they’re able to bargain with 200,000 lives.
However, Rell said the current version of the legislation would not achieve the intended cost savings or increase the number of people with insurance and could lead to substantial costs to taxpayers. Read her veto message to Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz.
Majority Leader Chris Donovan, D-Meriden, said, “The information the governor used to reach her decision is wrong - she was swayed by threats and numbers from the insurance companies and not the comprehensive analysis that we provided.”
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said, “This veto will be a lasting legacy — an unnecessary, unfair setback to public health. This tragic missed opportunity blocks good insurance for hundreds of thousands of Connecticut citizens.”
“Governor Rell and the insurance industry collectively asserted that this bill was risky despite the fact that 24 other states have opted towards similar concepts to save money,” Phil Sherwood of CCAG said in a press release. For municipalities, the bill would have saved tax dollars on expensive health plans and alleviated pressure to cut back on community services, he said.
Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney, D-New Haven, said, “Friday the 13th has proven to be an unlucky day for families and small businesses in Connecticut who are struggling to pay healthcare costs.” He said the bill would be back again next year.
In her press release, Rell said she would be willing to work with proponents of the bill to “develop a revised, more workable version of the bill in the next legislative session.”
“I strongly believe that every person in Connecticut should have access to basic health care,” Rell said. “However, the underlying difficulties in covering the uninsured and under-insured - among them affordability and guaranteeing that carriers are ready and willing to assume the risk - are not addressed by HB 5536. Numerous state programs presently in effect and the Charter Oak Health Plan, which is expected to begin accepting enrollments July 1, will do more to meet that goal than HB 5536.”
“I remain committed to passing a health care pooling bill into law and it will be one of our top priorities next legislative session,” Senate President Donald Williams, D-Brooklyn, said.
Comments (3)
Posted by: Mike from Norwich![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/nav-commenters.gif)
| June 13, 2008 4:44 PM
Once again we have Rell the Gutless Wonder. When asked earlier today whether she was going to veto the health care pooling bill, she declined to say either way. Then like a snake in the grass, slithered out of town. She was asked this question as early as 11 AM today. Now the Governor's office releases the veto message at 4:30 PM so as to avoid responsibility. Well, what can you expect, she HAS health care.
I find this lack of taking responsibility the very thing that citizens dislike. Grow a backbone Jodi, stop trying to avoid responsibility. It was YOU who vetoed the bill and it is your responsibility as governor to answer in public why you vetoed the bill instead of sneaking out of town.
Posted by: John R. McCommas | June 15, 2008 4:48 PM
Oh come one Mike. It took more guts to veto this than to sign it. And you illustrate why perfectly.
My question for you is how could it be so easy? If it was this easy than why hasn't it been done before? Are those other states that have this actually saving money?
It was to good to be true from the beginning.
A little like that cold fusion idea. It was a great idea
-- except it didn't work.
Its back to the drawing board. What Don Williams should be pressing for is reform on those gold-digging meritless nuisance lawsuits that drive up the costs.
Oh but wait. The Connecticut Bar Association would get mad, so that's out.
Posted by: Mike from Norwich![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/nav-commenters.gif)
| June 16, 2008 11:34 AM
Actually, the states that have tried it, There is a list of those who have tried this with success in the transcripts from the March 7, 2008 public hearing held by the Joint Committee on Labor and Public Employees.
The problem is we need to have the courage to try new things and be bold enough to admit when they do not work. I do not see Governor Rell as that agent she is too entrench in her own ideological ideas.
As far as meritless nuisance law suits are concerned, each law suit must be looked at individually. I know of hundreds of people who were forced to sue insurance companies because they (insurance companies) reneged on their promise to pay benefits. Be careful about grouping these law suites into one area, lest you are forced to sue. It's only a meritless law suite when we are not involved.